Ride Shakedown Returns to Summit at Snoqualmie

Seattle, December 7, 2010 – The year 2011 will be a defining one for the RIDE Shakedown, one of the snowboard industry’s most exciting and anticipated competitions, drawing the biggest names in snowboarding and the most promising up-and-comers. 2011 will mark the 10th anniversary of the RIDE Shakedown in Canada, a return to the United States for a 2nd year and an introduction of a European leg of the competition in Germany. In addition, the U.S. and German events (4 star level) are now part of The Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour, featuring the leading snowboarders and the world’s most respected snowboard events. With these three competitions, over $100,000 will be up for grabs.

After the success of the first RIDE Shakedown in Seattle, presented at The Summit at Snoqualmie, the DIZZLE Entertainment crew is back for a second round in Washington on March 18 and 19, 2011. Thrill seekers will enjoy the breathtaking feats by top riders performing on the rails and projecting into the wide open space for the Big Air.

“The first U.S. edition of the RIDE Shakedown was a stellar success and we’re pleased to be back in Seattle again this year,” explained Brendan O’Dowd, co-founder of DIZZLE Entertainment and organizer of the RIDE Shakedown. “With this second round, we’re giving fans an action packed halftime show with a music stage, and it’s free. Action and entertainment are definitely on the program!”

The return of the RIDE Shakedown on U.S. soil came to fruition through the efforts of title sponsor RIDE Snowboards, based in downtown Seattle, and a driver in the industry since 1992. “The RIDE Shakedown has now become one of the industry’s must-attend events. Top riders and big industry players are there, and the format and relaxed atmosphere are appreciated by riders and fans alike. Snowboarders throughout the Pacific Northwest will love it!” said Scott Mavis, RIDE Snowboards’ Vice President Global Marketing.

Both top-ranked riders and rookies will be hitting the slopes during the amateur qualification round of the RIDE Shakedown to fight for a spot in the semi-finals where they compete against the invited pros. For amateur riders interested in participating, qualification rounds will be held across the USA via the TransWorld SNOWboarding TransAm series with the overall TransAm tour champions winning automatic qualification in the RIDE Shakedown finals at the Summit at Snoqualmie. For complete details, visit the RIDE Shakedown website at www.rideshakedown.com.

Dates of the three 2011 RIDE Shakedown events

March 11-12, Europe (Germany, Olympic Stadium in Garmisch-Partenkirchen): First European edition. Same format as the original, with a European twist;

March 18-19, United States (The Summit at Snoqualmie, located 45 minutes east of Seattle): Second U.S. edition. New this year: a music stage at half-time;

While there are many snowboarding events in the U.S., the RIDE Shakedown stands out by virtue of its unparalleled competition format. What makes the RIDE Shakedown such a hit and a cut above the rest is its unparalleled competition format. The concept: a laidback, live-it-up event with minimal restrictions on the riders. Spectators are taken to the very heart of the action and treated to a thrill-a-minute show that’s eminently accessible. At the RIDE Shakedown, riders are required to master two different disciplines: Big Air and rail featuring a rail with various surface textures to be revealed only on the first day of competition. Competitors and fans alike look forward to the moment. While pros are the main attraction, amateurs are also in the game, as they valiantly battle it out in an attempt to make a name for themselves. Every winter, new talent is discovered!

About The Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour

The Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour is the world’s largest collaboration of independent freestyle snowboard events working together to create a global rookie-to-professional tour and gives riders the chance to earn points and climb the rankings. For the past eight years now, the most respected snowboard events have operated under the TTR umbrella with a total purse of $2,500,000 USD. www.ttrworldtour.com

Partners

The 2nd edition of the RIDE Shakedown in the U.S. was made possible through the support of RIDE Snowboards, The Summit at Snoqualmie, Bud Light, Billy Boy, Rockstar, Muscle Milk, Shakedown MFG, Snowboarder Magazine and The Swatch Ticket To Ride (TTR) World Snowboard Tour.

About RIDE Snowboards

For passionate snowboard enthusiasts of all ages, RIDE represents an uncompromised, fun-at-all-costs approach to life. Founded in Redmond, Washington, in late 1992, RIDE hit the market with a vision – to create a snowboard company for the people, built upon technical innovation, superior quality and living the dream. Today, based in Seattle, RIDE continues to stay true to its original goals. For RIDE, it’s not about being the biggest; it’s about being the best at what they do. Now offering a full range of quality boards, boots, bindings & apparel, RIDE has worked tirelessly to maintain its distinct brand identity and has firmly established itself as a leader in the snowboard industry, doing business in 48 countries through its wholly-owned subsidiaries and distributor network. For the latest, visit www.ridesnowboards.com.

DIZZLE Entertainment, architects of the RIDE Shakedown

The two founders and partners of DIZZLE Entertainment, Brendan O’Dowd and Patryck Bernier, from Montreal, Canada, have been providing event-oriented design, marketing and management services since 2004. Over time, they have added to these. They now provide services as athletes’ agents and consultants on the design and creation of snowboard parks. In 2010, DIZZLE’s roster of major achievements include the design, marketing and management of the snowparks of the Mont Saint-Sauveur International Group, (Quebec, Canada), the ZONE 514 snowboard park of Montreal’s Société du Parc Jean-Drapeau, the Shakedown Snowboard Camp, as well as various launches related to the action sports industry. For additional information, go to: www.dizzleinc.com and www.rideshakedown.com